Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph

BaltimoreMay 12th 1816

I wrote to you ten days ago my dearest Mother to tell you how anxious I was to return
to you again—this fine month is wearing away in the smoke and dust of the city and
in spite of the kind attentions of Mr & Mrs Smith my time passes heavily—I am always counting the months which have elapsed since I
left you and every day increases the “maladie du pays” by which I am afflicted—I have
been a fortnight in Baltimore and am almost afraid to return to Washington for fear of being in Mrs Madison’s way, as she is in a few days to leave that city for Orange—she offered to take me with her, but I am sure it would be very inconvenient to her
and for that reason I declined the offer—Mrs Burwell has been so ill that the physicians despaired of her life, but she is now recovering
and expects to be able to commence her journey home in the course of a fortnight or
three weeks—they are
very anxious that I should wait and go with them, but my heart sickens at the
thought of this delay, and if on the journey Mrs B. should relapse I know not how long we might be detained—besides they go a very round
about way by Norfolk and Richmond and I am so anxious to be at home that I should dislike to visit either of these
places. I hope you recieved my last letter, pray write if it is only a line—and if Jef Adieu dearest Mother God Grant I couldmay be with you soon, I have now no other wish—